Clayton Hass Gets Needed Boost with Victory at Rio Grande Valley Rodeo

The veteran PRCA competitor captured the all-around honors thanks to his win in steer wrestling and a near-miss in placing in the team roping.

Fernando Sam-Sin/@fsamsin

The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo left Clayton Hass with a mix of emotions.

On one hand, the Weatherford, Texas cowboy came away pleased with his efforts. He captured the steer wrestling title at the rodeo, providing both a financial and mental jolt to the season.

But Hass also knows he just missed out on a monster weekend near the southern border.

“I broke the barrier and was 3.8 seconds in the team roping, and I would’ve won a pile if I could have made it work right there,” Hass said with a laugh. “But it was cool. It was a good Texas rodeo, and I'm looking forward to the next one.”

Despite the missed opportunity, Hass came away from Mercedes, Texas, with plenty to build on. His time of 3.8 seconds in the steer wrestling was just good enough to edge out Skyler Woolls’ effort of 3.9 seconds, earning him $3,615.

While he and team roping partner Kyler Kanady missed out on earning money in the event, their 13.8-second performance following the 10-second penalty placed the pair 23rd overall. This helped Hass bring home the rodeo’s all-around title as well as the steer wrestling championship. If there were no penalty, the duo would have placed second in the event.

Hass came into his run at slack, knowing he had a chance to come away with some much-needed money.

In all, 96 bulldoggers competed over the course of the rodeo, and because of Hass’ position on the go-list, he got the chance to see the steer he was chasing run with another competitor before his go.

Fellow steer wrestler Paul Melvin went for 4.6 seconds to tie for ninth overall with the steer, letting Hass know the potential to earn money was there.

The outcome was exactly what Hass needed. After finishing 43rd in the steer wrestling world standings last year, Hass came into the season knowing he had work to do. The four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier is ready to use this success as a rally point for the remainder of the winter.

“To go to any rodeo and win $3,600, it's damn sure a good lick. For me, I didn’t have a great year last year, so I didn’t get into Houston and San Antonio. So I’m kind of battling through the small ones,” Hass said. “I’ve had a decent winter for not getting into those rodeos. I’m giving myself a chance. And it’s so early in the year; we’re just trying to put money together and do the best we can.”

Other results from the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo

Dean Thompson captured the bareback riding title with an 85.5-point effort on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Cadillac Jack, earning him $4,160.

Team ropers Tanner Tomlinson and Patrick Smith finished in 3.7 seconds to win the event and earn $4,694 each.

Spencer Wright won the saddle bronc title and $4,061 thanks to a score of 86.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Call Me Kindra.

Tie-down roper Pecos Tatum won the event by one-tenth of a second with a time of 7.3 seconds to secure $4,794 in earnings.

Barrel racer Abby Phillips finished in 15.32 seconds to capture the title and earn $5,114.

Jacob Carige posted an 87.5-point ride on TNT Pro Rodeo’s Whistle Pig to win the bull riding title and earn $4,427.